Refugee Life

Although the refugees who make it to Austria might have escaped political or religious persecution, they face a pretty tough situation here. Life in the camp is bleak. All they can do is sit and wait- first for their initial interview, then for an answer or a second interview, then for a positive or negative decision from the government, which can take months or even years. They have a place to live, food to eat and a small allowance each month, but the Austrian people for the most part are quite hostile toward the refugees. Anyone who looks foreign is marked as a troublemaker, or even a criminal. The other day a group of police officers stood at the train station here in Traiskirchen all day long demanding to see tickets of passengers getting off the train, imposing 60 Euro fines for not having a ticket. They didn't even try to hide the fact that they were targeting foreigners, particularly African refugees, and also demanded each person's government identification card. I've heard several stories of refugees being arrested and imprisioned for months without trial and without a bit of evidence. Many refugees arrive here hopeful and positive, believing they've reached some kind of promised land where they are safe and can start a new life, but as the weeks go by you see the smiles fade and weariness and disappointment set in. It's wonderful to see their faces light up when we offer them a cup of tea and our company.
Being able to speak German has opened up a lot of opportunities for me. Thursday at Coffee Bar, where refugees come to play games and just hang out, and have the opportunity to watch the Jesus Film in their language, my Chechan friend, Ami, whom I'm helping to learn German, brought a few new friends along. I played checkers and chatted with the 17-year-old Chechan girl who spoke German (and she let me win checkers). She told me that her family had been in Austria one week and had their first interview and were told to come back Monday morning for a second interview. She's afraid of being denied asylum and sent back to Poland, where they were in a refugee camp for 4 or 5 months before they came here, and she said thatif they are sent back to Poland the Russians her family is running from will almost certainly track them down and kill them, like others she knew. Please pray for this family.
I had a very nice time last night visiting with an Armenian/Iranian couple who were forced to leave their lives in Iran because of their faith. I'm learning a bit of Persian (Farsi) and a lot about life as believers in the Middle East.
On another note, the other short termers have left, which makes my living situation a bit lonely. Also, my dad was in a bad car accident a few days ago. He's going to be ok other than a broken bone or two, but it's hard to be away from home right now. Please keep these things in mind as you pray for me. Your prayers are much appreciated!